A.T. Still University in Mesa launches training program for dentists to learn how to treat special needs patients

By Connor Van Ligten
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A.T. Still University in Mesa is launching an inaugural program to train dentists and dental teams on how to treat and care for patients with special health care needs this November.

The program is part of a partnership with Delta Dental of Arizona. The three-day educational program provides training for dental teams in order to better understand how to care for and interact with special needs patients, including those with disabilities, those who are medically compromised and more.

“We’re bringing them in for three days where we go from beginning to high level to detailed stuff for dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants to learn more about taking care of disabilities and also getting hands-on experience in delivering dentistry, dental treatment, cleanings, exams, fillings, extractions, things like that,” said Mai-Ly Duong, special care dentistry director at ATSU. “How do we modify what we’re doing to make sure that we’re providing quality services in a comfortable environment for people with disabilities?”

When a dental patient is disabled or has special health care needs, the treatment process becomes different. A dentist has to take more care and caution than they would with most patients.

Duong pointed toward a hypothetical wheelchair-bound patient and how that might affect dental care. Such care might require a change to the environment and ergonomics that dentists work in while also making sure the patient is calm and comfortable during the appointment.

“Another example might be someone who has autism, where they have sensory motor deficiencies,” Duong said. “So how do we monitor, how do we manage those sensory motor issues and still be able to provide a comfortable environment so that we can deliver that filling or extraction that we need and that we don’t create that traumatic experience?”

Barb Kozuh is the executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. She said that this program ATSU is doing is very similar to programs that Delta Dental has done in the past.

A partnership was a no-brainer considering the aligned values.

“A perfect fit and it would easily align with their mission. We have the same concern,” Kozuh said. “Our mission is to create a path for better health and wellness ... we primarily focus on underserved populations, and the special needs population is underserved. And there’s not enough services that undeserved and special needs populations can use.”

Dr. Desmond Gallagher, dean at ATSU, said it’s important for students and dentists to work with communities that have issues with access to typical care.

“Part of our doctor of dental medicine program is about getting our students into the community and into areas where there are issues with access to care and make sure we’re doing all we can to support the person’s overall health,” Gallagher said. “And oral health is a really important part of that overall well-being.”

Gallagher enjoys the partnership between ATSU and Delta Dental as part of this program.

“Delta Rental is really proactive in working with dental schools and working with other providers to try to give back and help people who may not have access to good dental care,” Gallagher said.

Ultimately, Kozuh hopes that this program has a positive impact on dental care in not only Arizona but in America as a whole, so that more special needs populations can get the dental care they need.

“I hope that they’ll be more aware of the ability to treat special needs patients and provide care for this underserved population that a lot of dentists tend to shy away from,” Kozuh said. “I hope that private practice dentists would be able to take this course and expand it to their office to be able to better take care of patients.”

ATSU is located at 5855 E. Still Circle Ste. A in Mesa.

For information, visit https://www.atsu.edu/the-center#inclusive-dentistry-and-oral-health-immersion-program.